By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, January 29, Mana: National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) says district council budgets are crucial for the achievement of the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) hence the need for review before final submission of the budgets. 

NLGFC Internal Audit Manager, Thomson Longwe, made the remarks Friday at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre during Ntcheu District Council budget review session.

Longwe advised councils to take budget sessions seriously saying if the budgets are not properly prepared councils would have lost the whole year before the year even starts. 

"For Malawi to develop, we need councils to drive the MW2063 agenda and be able to reach the extreme end of the communities with development," said Longwe.

NLGFC organized the meeting to review council budgets in line with guidelines before final submission.

Ntcheu District Commissioner, George Ngaiyaye, said the council has three major sources of revenue namely; locally generated revenue, central government transfers and donor funds/development partners which enables the council to fulfill its mandates to the local populace.

"Every year, council annual budgets are in line with the District Development Plans, Malawi 2063 pillars and enablers among other regulatory documents," said Ngaiyaye.

He said during the 2023/2024 financial year, the council channeled its resources towards the implementation of development projects, improvement of health care services, primary education, environment, natural resources and agriculture among others.

Ntcheu District Council budget for 2024/2025 financial year is pegged at MK4,626,953,477.